Customer Reviews

The Animals' Christmas

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I was in fact one of the choirboys who sang on this album, and it's been a long time since I thought about it (October 1984 seems a long time ago!). But a quick glance at Amazon has rather amazed me - I thought it had been a failure consigned to history, but it seems some people did actually enjoy the record!

It was amazing fun to rehearse and record, and although Amy did all her parts in the States, Art sang with us in the South-west London church used for the choir recordings. The choir parts were extremely well written and very challenging - we were used to simple, straightforward choral works and the harmonies and rhythms of "The Animals' Christmas" were a real challenge. But six full days of recording created the wonderful record several of you seem to have enjoyed - even now, 16 years later, I have extremely fond memories of the record. Merry Christmas!

A few years ago I was expanding my Christmas CD collection (now closing in on 50 cds) I was taking a gamble and buying some recording I was not familiar with at all. Musically my preference has always been for singers and songwriters enjoying the collaborations between the two. Art Garfunkel's sorrowful voice and Amy Grant's ultra crisp pipes mesh perfectly on this expertly crafted disc. The backing of the London Symphony Orchestra and the Kings College Choir is absolute perfection.
Don't be put off by the powerful 'in your face' "Annunciation" the album quickly settles into a wonderful pace full of lush harmony and interplay between Art, Amy and the Choir. This album is unique for many reasons. The songs range from powerful "Annunciation", to the overwhelmingly cute "Simple Little Tyune"<sic and the haunting "Incredible Phat".

This album reaches out and touches my soul. I still get misty and chills. My prefered way to listen to this recording is a darkened room (a single candle will really set the mood for you)

This is in my top 5 Christmas Albums....If you are looking for another relatively unknown buy utterly fantastic Christmas Album try Clint Black's Looking for Christmas....full of original songs from a great Singer Songwriters perspective (even if you don't like country music)

If you are reading this, you either have already bought The Animals Christmas, or are thinking seriously about it....Think no more and push the buttons to place your order... it will be money well spent. Wishing you all a very happy holiday season and peace on earth.

I fell in love with this work the first time I heard it, and each time I hear it, I still get goosebumps. It is pure genius. The music and lyrics are true works of art and the performance by the Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant, the Boys' Choir, and the orchestra could not be better. But you have to actually LISTEN to it. You can't put it on for background music like most Christmas carols. It deserves your utmost attention. I was thrilled to see that I could get another copy on CD. My tape is about worn out.

I have been unable to find another cassette copy of this remarkable album for many years. Now it is available as a CD and should become a classic Christmas album. The story is timeless, told through the eyes of the animals who attended his birth. From the uupleasant stable cat who didn't want to share his home to the geese who guided the Holy Family's way to Egypt, this is a beautifully written and flawless performance.

As others who have written previous reviews, I, too, stumbled upon this recording shortly after is was released. I had discovered a gem as we all had who own a copy--which is almost impossible to find anymore. Garfunkel's performances are some of his best outside of Simon &.... Amy Grant should listen to this album again and get inspired to rethink her musical direction. And Webb's penmanship is simply amazing--yes, it is truly art. I would love to see, better yet, produce a stage production of this piece. It needs to be introduced to more people. "Simple Little Tune", "Words from an Old Spanish Carol" & "Carol of the Birds" are breathtakingly beautiful and majestic--everything music should be during the holiday season. So to everyone who has a recording of this jewel, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and good listening!

I agree with all of the previous reviews, I especially enjoyed the choir boys memories. I am thrilled to find this album is now on CD as my record is scratchy and worn out. I am a huge Art Garfunkel fan and find this piece showcases his beautiful voice. Jimmy Webb is a huge talent. I don't think I'll wait until next Christmas to listen to my new purchase!

After seeing an Grant Christmas Special that featured a song from this CD (approximately 1986), we purchased this CD and it has become a part of our family Christmas tradition ever since. Beautiful beyond words. "Words From An Old Spanish Carol" is a hidden treasure.

combining the voices of Amy Grant, Art Garfunkel and a boy's choir made for one of the best christmas cd's ever. All of the songs are about how the animals witnessed the birth of Christ Jesus. A must have for any christmas collection

A musical and vocal/choral masterpiece by Jim Webb (composer/arranger) featuring Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant, St Paul's Church (Wimbledon, England) Boy Choir, London Symphony Orchestra as well as a a team of top notch studio pop musicians. Recorded in studios and Cathedrals in NYC and England in 1985, it is masterfully produced, engineered and performed.
Simple lyrics depicting, (and even told from the viewpoint of) the animals of the story of the birth of Christ. Somehow this vantage point deepens the power of the humble Nativity story. This hard to find relatively unknown Christmas recording is truly a diamond in the rough.

This is one of my favorite Christmas CDs. Ordinarily, I am not a fan of children's voices singing, but Garfunkle's and Grant's voices compliment each other so well, and the arrangement uses children so skillfully, that I don't even mind. I find this glorious and uplifting, and while musically interesting not so stuffy that its inaccessible for any listener. I'm always stunned more people don't know this cantata. Jimmy Webb is an incredibly versatile composer. There's even a video on u-tube with the Grant, Garfunkle and the chorus doing a couple of the songs.